Sapphires, Rubies, and The Complete Picture

Tifa hummed softly to herself as her fingers delicately worked to fold the tricky edges of her present for Marlene. She woke up a few hours earlier just so Marlene and Denzel wouldn't know what she was up to. She didn't want them to get all excited with the presents when Christmas was still three days away. Needless to say, Tifa had a feeling that Christmas was going to be spectacular this year. It would be the first Christmas she would share with both the kids and Cloud. However, something about that thought also made her nervous. She was not concerned about the kids, but with the latter. Things appeared to be working between them. After saving Midgar and defeating Sephiroth for the second time, Cloud was alot more open. It was as if the heaviest burden had been lifted off his chest.

Tifa smiled to herself as she recalled herself shyly asking him to live with her, Marlene, and Denzel again. She chuckled as she remembered him nodding in a heartbeat. The truth was that she missed him terribly when he left them because he was plagued with Geostigma. She was not only confused, but hurt at the same time when she saw Denzel fighting so hard to get rid of the disease and Cloud just giving up on his life. Was it because he wanted to die? Am I not worth anything to him?

Tifa shook away the negative thoughts. Sighing, she neatly placed the wrapped present on top of Denzel's and shoved both packages under the table top behind the bar. Glancing upstairs, she could see the blonde man sleeping peacefully with his chest rhythmically heaving up and down. She smiled at the sight of how peaceful he looked. Cloud was with them now and that was all that mattered. He had been living with her again for the past two weeks and she had to admit that they've been getting closer. She was extremely happy about that fact but at the same time, she couldn't get rid of the fear that he was going to leave her again.

She didn't know what she would do if he were to step out of her life for the third time. Hopefully, things were going to stay just the way it was now, but her experiences taught her that nothing is guaranteed in life except for death.

The brunette drifted her attention to the windows. Outside, a beautiful field of white was forming in the city. Her face lit up when she saw thick packets of snow freely landing on the ground. She could hardly believe the sight . It rarely snowed in Midgar because of the plate that toppled over the city, but now that it had been removed, it looks like they were going to get a white Christmas.

"Is that snow?"

Tifa turned around to find Marlene rubbing her eyes, but excitedly looking out the windows. The girl quickly ran towards the older woman who gently picked up the child.

"Yes it is snow! Can you believe it? This must be the first time you saw snow in Midgar huh?"

"Yeah! Wow Tifa! It's so beautiful..." Even the child was lost for words as she watched the sparkling white whirlwinds working its magic outside. "Can I go out and play later?"

"Of course! But after breakfast okay?" Tifa turned to look at the stove just in time it emitted a soft click. "Oh, speaking of breakfast, we can eat now! Can you please help me set up the table?"

She placed Marlene back on the ground and went to the oven to retrieve a batch of cupcakes and muffins. The sweet sugary aroma filled the room as she planted the plate of delicacies in the middle of the table with the milk and juice. All she needed now was people to help eat the morning feast.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to go wake up Cloud okay?"

"Okay! I'll get Denzel later."

Tifa smiled as she left the kitchen. It looks like they were going to have an hour or so to themselves before the bar opened. She lightly padded up the wooden stairs, not wanting to wake up Denzel or Cloud on the way. She had something childish in mind that she wanted to do. It was corny, yes, but it was also something she had wanted to do for a long time.

She was relieved to find that Cloud was still sound asleep in bed. Grinning, she tiptoed to the edge of the bed and stood proudly behind him. She slowly brought her hands towards his eyes while balancing herself so she wouldn't tip over the gap that stood between her and the man. Just as she was about to clasp her palms over his eyes, he jumped up and swiftly encircled her waist with his strong arms and pulled her down.

"HEEEY! Cloud!" Tifa squealed outloud as her face was met by a thick fluffy pillow.

"Just what do you think you're doing, huh?" Cloud laughed while trying to put on a mock frown, which was failing miserably by the second. He dragged the female deeper into the covers and pinned her arms down, disabling her from moving. He smirked when he saw her squirm under his grasp. She was strong, but he had the advantage from being on top of her. Finally, she realized it was futile to fight back and lied still.

"Hmph. How did you know I was there anyway?" she whined sweetly.

"Because I was never asleep in the first place?"

"OH! So are you saying that you were just lying in bed waiting for me to come upstairs and do something?" Tifa cried in disbelief.

"I'm not going to deny that..." Cloud whispered gently as he lowered his head, his lips just inches away from the tip of Tifa's nose when...

RRIIINNNINGGG!

Both adults jumped up in surprise. The phone next to them was ringing off the hook. Cloud silently cursed under his breath as he hopped off the bed and grabbed the phone, almost ripping out the cord in annoyance. "Hello? Strife Delivery Service," he answered crankily. Who the hell calls this early anyway?

Tifa laughed as she settled back in bed, pulling the covers up to her chest. Her face was burning a light shade of pink. Their little incident was so minute, but the way Cloud was actually playfully messing with her meant the world to her. She had never seen him so relax and free. She propped her elbow against the pillows and rested the side of her head on her curled fingers while watching the blonde chat on the phone.
He was speaking lowly, almost as if he didn't want her to hear what he was talking about.

What's going on?

"Okay. I'll be there as soon as possible." Cloud sighed as he placed the phone back onto the hook.

"What's wrong Cloud?" Tifa sat up in alarm as he saw the look of dismay on the male's face.

"Nothing nothing. Don't worry!" He rushed over to the bed and quickly gave her a light hug. He knew Tifa loved jumping into conclusions and was concerned about almost every little trivial thing. It was SUCH a bad habit, but at the same time, she was such a sweetheart for caring so much. "I just have to get into work early. It's really busy these days with Christmas just three days away. It looks like I will be loaded with deliveries to make."

"Oh..." Tifa replied with a bit of disappointment in her voice. She hugged him back, relieved that the phone call was only about work. "You should eat something before you go then. Come on! I made your favorite cupcakes and muffins!" Tugging on his sleeve, she dragged him down to the bar where Marlene and Denzel were already sitting at the counter eating.

"Tifa! They're awesome!" Denzel commented in between munches.

Tifa giggle and handed a cake to Cloud. "Here, at least take this if you don't have time to sit and eat."

Cloud could feel the heat from the sweet seeping into his hand as he took it. The warm chocolate scent was tickling his nostrils and he wanted nothing more than to sit down at the counter with Tifa and the kids, but he knew his job was important. He needed the money now more than ever since almost all the gils earned on their previous journey was donated to Midgar's reconstruction. AVALANCHE was not even a bit hesitant when they handed over the money, but now he wished he could've kept just a tiny bit amount for himself, just for this occasion.

"Thank you so much. I can't wait to eat it," Cloud said as he threw on his black coat. Tifa walked over and draped his matching knit scarf around his neck. As he pulled on his boots, she leaned against the counter, admiring his handsome features. The way that his long blonde chocobo-like hair shrouded his face whenever he bent over always made her grin. He was surprised when he looked up to find Tifa staring at him goofily.

"Do I have something on my face?" he asked curiously.

No, your face is perfect...

"N-no...your face is fine," she stuttered. "Have a nice day Cloud. I'll see you tonight!" Tifa waved as the male turned to give her a suspicious look before walking out the door.

"Man...sure is cold today..." Cloud murmured as he closed the door to the Seventh Heaven tightly behind him. He was surprised to see snow when he took his first step out of the bar. He felt so content knowing that the first thing AVALANCHE wanted in the Midgar Construction plan was to remove the dreaded plate that gloomily loomed over the city. Finally, there was now real sunshine cascading over Midgar, not the usual streaks of pale light that refracted into the old city through broken cracks in the plate.

He held out his palm as he walked down the street to his Delivery Service. It had been awhile since he felt real snow. Maybe this was going to be one magical Christmas after all. He couldn't help but smile as he watched the children on the streets building snow mans and having snowball fights with each other. If he had time after work, he wanted to do the same with Tifa and the kids. It would be their first white Christmas as a...family.

Family.

He liked the sound of that. No, it was not like they were married or anything, but all they have is each other now. One thought led to another. Marriage and kids suddenly entered his mind. He shuddered at the thought of having more kids at the age of 23. Marlene and Denzel were already a handful. He had no idea how Tifa manages to put up with these two when they go berserk, but then again, Tifa was one incredible woman. Cloud snickered to himself. Marriage was going to have to wait as well. Right now, the only thing he cared about was making a decent living to help support his 'family'.

He checked his watch and groaned. If he didn't hurry, he was going to be late for work and that meant income reduction. It was ridiculous that he was the boss of his own company and he had to worry about getting to work on time. Unfortunately, he hired a professional manager to gain more money and now he abides by his rules. He knew he should be heading to the Headquarters right away, but he couldn't help jogging to "The Little Shop of Diamonds" to glance at his prize.

When he arrived, he was relieved to find that the necklace he wanted was still there. The shiny string of silver adorned with tiny ruby and sapphire crystals tantalized him from behind the glass. In the middle of the chain was a splendid diamond flower with a gorgeous red bud. Cloud had been walking down this lane just for this particular jewelry store for the past two weeks, and every time he did, he couldn't resist looking at the beautifully crafted necklace. He made a promise to himself that he would save up enough money by Christmas to make the purchase for Tifa.

Seeing the saleswoman through the glass, Cloud shyly waved back to her. It was so embarrassing having her catch him every day and night staring at the necklace, but he couldn't help but feel drawn to the jewel. Even the lady claimed that the necklace was a special amulet that would offer its wearer eternal happiness and protect him or her from danger. Cloud just assumed the woman was creating some phoney myth to allure the customers to buy the item...and it worked! Myth or not, he knew Tifa deserved eternal happiness and Lord knows he didn't want her to EVER be in danger again. That thought was soothing, but the six digit numerical value of the silver choker was not.

Cloud checked his watch again. Crap! I'm already five minutes late!

For the sake of desperately needing 100,000 gils by Christmas, he hurried to his company without another glance at the store.

Author's Notes: Yes yes! I've decided to do a Christmas CloTi! I will try my best to get it done before or by Christmas, but I'm not sure that will be possible depending on how much work I will get from school this week and during break. This will be a very short multi-chapter fic just to get in the Holiday spirits. Thanks for reading and please leave a review! I'll be sure to try to update soon!